Plane Had Encountered Icing In A Blizzard In Canada

The only person to survive an accident which occurred on January 10, 2012 has sued Keystone Air Service and the estate of the pilot of the airplane who was fatally injured in the accident. Brian Shead claims the pilot did not have the necessary experience to fly in the conditions described as a "blizzard" near North Spirit Lake in Ontario, Canada.

Shead was a passenger aboard a Piper Navajo Chieftain which went down on a frozen lake about two miles short of the runway. The Transportation Board of Canada said in its investigation report that pilot inexperience, icing, and blizzard conditions were all contributing factors in the accident. Three other passengers were also fatally injured.

Shead was able to extract himself from the airplane and pull out the pilot as well, according to the Winnipeg Free Press, but was unable to help any of the other passengers before the plane caught fire.

Shead said he suffered numerous injuries, including permanent scarring to his face and damage to his left foot in the accident. He is seeking damages for his injuries as well as "pain and suffering."

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

(Navajo Chieftain pictured in file photo. Not accident airplane)

FMI: www.tsb.gc.ca/eng